“What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals. “ Zig Ziglar

As we begin a new year, I think it is a fabulous idea to spend some time encouraging our teens to set goals for themselves.  We have all heard the saying, “If you don’t know where you are going, how will you ever know when you have arrived?”  That is so true.  Here are just a few things to consider as we communicate with our teens regarding goal setting:

• It is important to set short-term as well as long-term goals. Short-term goals keep us going.  We need to be able to experience small successes along the way toward our lifetime goals.  It gives us strength to continue on our journey.  Help your teen think of goals that they can achieve this school year or over the next six weeks.  These goals may or may not be associated with their long-term goals.  But either way, they supply needed encouragement and a sense of accomplishment.
• We must be willing to really work at our goals. If we set a “goal” for ourselves and then sit back and wait for it to one day miraculously happen, that isn’t a goal…it’s a wish.  A goal is a dream that we have pondered.  We have taken time to think it through and we have considered the steps it will take to fulfill.  Then we get to it!  Hard work and persistence do pay off!
• Assume that there will be obstacles. When we begin to work toward a goal, if we assume it will be nothing but smooth sailing, we are in for a big surprise.  There simply will be obstacles and distractions.  Go in with eyes wide open.  Anticipate the obstacles and strategize ways to overcome them.  Remember we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us!
• Setting goals and focusing on the horizon is also a way that we gain enjoyment out of this life we live. If our focus is on the dust under our feet as we pound out our course each day, we become discouraged and exhausted.  But if we take time to lift up our heads and focus on our goals in the distance, we will certainly notice the beauty of our surroundings and the pleasure of our traveling partners, as well.

It is important to understand our personal strengths as we begin to set goals.  Here is a link to a website for your teens.  This site will provide a fabulous strength finder quiz and will give your teen some insight into what might really interest them.

www.teenmania.com/careers/strength-finders

My love,